Names: conventional long form: Tunisian Republic conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis

Capital City: Tunis

Population: 10,175,014 (July 2006 est.)

GDP Per Capita: $8,600 (2006 est.)

Currency: Tunisian dinar (TND)

Languages: Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)

Total Area: total: 163,610 sq km land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km slightly larger than Georgia

Region: Africa

Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages

Agriculture: olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products

Resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt

Labor Force: 3.502 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2006 est.)
agriculture: 55% industry: 23% services: 22% (1995 est.)

Exports: $11.61 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons

Imports: $13.89 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, foodstuffs

Overview: Tunisia has a diverse economy, with important agricultural, mining, energy, tourism, and manufacturing sectors. Governmental control of economic affairs while still heavy has gradually lessened over the past decade with increasing privatization, simplification of the tax structure, and a prudent approach to debt. Progressive social policies also have helped raise living conditions in Tunisia relative to the region. Real growth slowed to a 15-year low of 1.9% in 2002 because of agricultural drought and lackluster tourism. Increased rain helped to push GDP growth to an average rate of 5% in 2003-06. However, a recession in agriculture, weak expansion in the tourism and textile sectors, and increasing import costs due to rising world energy prices cut growth to 4% in 2006. Tunisia is gradually removing barriers to trade with the EU. Broader privatization, further liberalization of the investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements in government efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are among the challenges ahead.

_{CIA World Book}

In 2007 Missouri exported $2,073,909 in goods to Tunisia. This ranks Tunisia 72^nd among the 223 international buyers of Missouri goods. Missouri exports to Tunisia increased from the previous year by $1,839,417 a change of 784.43%. State exports to Tunisia have increased over the last 5 years by $1,925,575 a change of 1298.13%. Missouri exports account for .02%. of all 2007 US exports to Tunisia.